I Guess It’s Really, Really Official Now … Really.

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David Pence
on April 24, 2008
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As expected, Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro has officially been selected to helm New Line/Universal’s “The Hobbit,” as well as a ’sequel’ that will cover the period between Bilbo’s return to Bag End and the events detailed in “The Lord of the Rings.”

From The New Zealand Herald.

Del Toro confirmed as ‘The Hobbit’ director

Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro will be based in New Zealand for four years while he makes two films based on The Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit, it was confirmed today.

The Dominion Post reported confirmation of del Toro’s role was announced in Hollywood by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson—who will co-produce The Hobbit—his partner and fellow producer Fran Walsh, and executives from New Line Cinema and MGM.

“A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves,” Jackson and Walsh said.

“We have long admired Guillermo’s work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted The Hobbit is in such trustworthy hands.”

The two films—the second of which will cover the 60 years between J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring—will be shot back to back.

The appointment follows months of speculation in entertainment circles, with del Toro admitting he was in negotiations to direct but refusing to comment further until a contract was signed.

Del Toro directed box office hits Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy.

This sequel/prequel will be the most interesting project for me. I won’t comment more on it though until more is actually known.

It’s Official: Peter Jacksons “The Hobbit”

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David Pence
on December 19, 2007
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Well, as I expected, New Line Cinema and Peter Jackson have made nice, and agreed to work together (with MGM) on a much anticipated film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”But wait! There’s more!!! I’ll let Reuters explain further.

From Reuters.

Peter Jackson to produce two Hobbit films
By Gina Keating

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The makers of the smash hit “Lord of the Rings” films said on Tuesday they settled a legal dispute and agreed to make two movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” but most likely without Peter Jackson directing.

Oscar winner Jackson, however, has signed on as executive producer along with his wife and producing partner, Fran Walsh, who also was instrumental in making the three “Lord of the Rings” films that earned $3 billion at global box offices.

In recent months, loyal “Rings” and Tolkien fans loudly proclaimed on Internet sites that they would not support a Hobbit movie without Jackson’s involvement, and Tuesday’s announcement brought them some welcome relief.

“Fist in the Air! YEEEEESSSSS!!! … “TRUST PETER!!! THE MASTER, THE COMMANDER, THE WIZARD!,” one person posted at fan site, theonering.net.

New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye said no decision has been made about who will direct the Hobbit movies, but Jackson, Walsh and the studios share approval on major creative elements and will start considering writers and directors in January.

MGM Chairman Harry Sloan, who was credited by all parties for bringing about the deal, said Jackson found it “impossible” to direct the films and meet proposed release dates in 2010 and 2011 due to other projects in the works.

“He can’t get it scheduled and he doesn’t want the fans to have to wait for the next two movies,” Sloan said. He said the studios might postpone the films if Jackson changed his mind.

Ken Kamins, manager for Jackson and Walsh, said it was “highly unlikely” Jackson would write or direct, but he would insure their quality by keeping creative control.

Kamins pointed out that George Lucas had ceded director’s duties to others for “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” without damaging the “Star Wars” franchise.

Jackson was unavailable for comment.

JACKSON’S VISION

Fantasy novel “The Hobbit” tells of a world inhabited by wizards, dwarves, elves and little people called hobbits, including the central character, Bilbo Baggins. “The Hobbit” preceded Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

The Ring films were released from 2001 through 2003.

Jackson and Walsh envision the first film covering the events of “The Hobbit” and the second bridging the 80-year gap between that novel and the first book of the trilogy.

Much of the plot for the second film would be gleaned from footnotes in “The Hobbit” that address that gap, Kamins said.

It was that vision that led MGM, which holds film rights to the book, to insist Jackson and Walsh make the movies.

“Once (they) played out their vision for ‘The Hobbit’ as two movies … MGM just took the position that we wanted to deal with Peter and it was not an option to do it with anybody else,” Sloan said.

He added the studios “would welcome as much of the original (’Rings’) cast as possible,” adding that “some of them have even said they are interested.”

For years, the making of a Hobbit movie had been delayed while Jackson and New Line wrangled over profits from the “Rings” films. The director had sued New Line claiming it owed him money. Jackson and New Line have now settled that suit.

MGM and New Line, a unit of Time Warner Inc, will co-finance the films, with New Line distributing in the United States and MGM internationally. MGM is a closely held company owned by private equity firms and media divisions of Sony Corp and Comcast Corp.

I’ll post more relevant news on this topic as it arrives.

The J.R.R. Tolkien Deluxe Edition Collection

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on November 28, 2007
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Once again, HarperCollins has released a set of books beyond my budget.Basically, this is all of HarperCollins’ deluxe editions of Tolkien’s works in one nice slipcase. It’s sort of like that episode of “The Simpsons,” where the greatest feature of a new Malibu Stacy doll, was that it had a new hat.

Since they put forth the effort to send me a nicely written notice, I’ll let that explain further.

From HarperCollins.

THE J.R.R. TOLKIEN DELUXE EDITION COLLECTION: The Children of Húrin, The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

A unique set of never-before-collected deluxe editions.

Since the 50th anniversary of “The Lord of the Rings” in 2004, HarperCollins has published a series of new deluxe editions of the principal Tolkien works. The series was completed in November this year with the release of “The Silmarillion” to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that book’s original publication.

For the first time ever, you can buy the complete collection of four books as a set.

  • All four books are quarterbound in textured paper in a slipcase with a curved edge and are embossed with Tolkien’s own motifs on the books
  • The books have sewn bindings, silk ribbon markers, and include a number of exclusive features unique to these editions
  • This collection is double-slipcased: a matching slipcase houses the four individual slipcased editions

The books that make up the collection:

“The Hobbit” (Published in 2004)

Features Tolkien’s drawing of the dragon Smaug embossed in gold and red foil on the case. This is the only edition of “The Hobbit” to feature all 13 of Tolkien’s own illustrations for the book reproduced in full color, together with his original maps reproduced as he originally intended but not previously achieved in nearly 70 years.

“The Lord of the Rings” (Published in 2004)

This 50th anniversary edition is embossed with Tolkien’s “Eye of Sauron” design in two foils and features for the very first time the pages from the “Book of Mazarbul,” illustrations done by Tolkien and intended for inclusion in the famous “Bridge of Khazad-dum” chapter but previously never used. Also appearing are previously unpublished family trees and the two original fold-out maps by Christopher Tolkien. For this edition and for “The Hobbit,” the text was checked by Tolkien experts against the original first editions and manuscripts, and more than 400 corrections were made to make this the most accurate and definitive version ever published.

“The Children of Húrin” (Published in 2007)

Matching “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” this first edition deluxe printing of “The Children of Húrin” includes a ninth color plate by Alan Lee not featured inside the standard hardback, with Húrin’s golden helm designed by Alan Lee embossed on the cover.

“The Silmarillion” (Published in 2007)

Published for its 30th anniversary, this newly reset edition of Tolkien’s masterwork “The Silmarillion” features an exclusive full color frontispiece “The Halls of Manwë” painted by J.R.R. Tolkien, the only scene from the book he painted, and is embossed with the delicate heraldic symbol he designed to represent Lúthien, The Silmarillion’s greatest heroine, which is also reproduced inside the book in color. This edition also includes Christopher Tolkien’s two-color maps, including a fold-out map of Beleriand, and as a Preface, Tolkien’s original letter of 1951 containing his account of the mythology of Middle-earth.

Note: This edition has been reported to be limited to only 500 sets.

The History of The Hobbit

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David Pence
on November 25, 2007
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Actually, I don’t think I could write a better review of this set of books, and since some nice lady at HarperCollins sent a nice synopsis anyway, I’ll use theirs.

From HarperCollins.

A major new examination of how J.R.R. Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece, including his complete unpublished draft version of the story.

The History of the Hobbit presents for the first time, in two volumes, the complete unpublished text of the original manuscript of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, accompanied by John Rateliff’s lively and informative account of how the book came to be written and published. As well as recording the numerous changes made to the story both before and after publication, it examines—chapter-by-chapter—why those changes were made and how they reflect Tolkien’s ever-growing concept of Middle-earth.

The Hobbit was first published on 21 September 1937. Like its successor, The Lord of the Rings, it is a story that “grew in the telling,” and many characters and story threads in the published text are completely different from what Tolkien first wrote to read aloud to his young sons as part of their “fireside reads.”

As well as reproducing the original version of one of literature’s most famous stories, both on its own merits and as the foundation for The Lord of the Rings, this new book includes many little-known illustrations and previously unpublished maps for The Hobbit by Tolkien himself, some of us have seen them on Tolkien exhibitions in the past. I wonder who will be most excited, those who never saw them before or those who have caught some glimpses already. Also featured are extensive annotations and commentaries on the date of composition, how Tolkien’s professional and early mythological writings influenced the story, the imaginary geography he created, and how Tolkien came to revise the book years after publication to accommodate events in The Lord of the Rings. An item very much discussed on different boards and newsgroups, but now for the first time put in a serious study.

Like Christopher Tolkien’s The History of Middle-earth before it, this is a thoughtful yet exhaustive examination of one of the most treasured stories in English literature. Long overdue for a classic book celebrating 70 years in print in 2007, this companion edition offers fascinating new insights for those who have grown up with this enchanting tale, and will delight those who are about to enter Bilbo’s round door for the first time.

Summary:

  • Includes the complete original unpublished manuscript version of The Hobbit.
  • Features previously unpublished and rarely-seen maps and illustrations by Tolkien.
  • Includes for the first time anywhere Tolkien’s attempt to write The Hobbit in the more serious style of The Lord of the Rings.
  • Book jacket features Tolkien’s unseen first attempt at designing his own book cover.
  • Endorsed by Christopher Tolkien as an adjunct to the essential The History of Middle-earth series.
  • An essential resource book for the forthcoming movie adaptation of The Hobbit.

Both HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin have published these books. Both are nearly identical in appearance, but I personally feel that the Houghton Mifflin edition is a better quality edition.

New Editions: “The Hobbit,” “The Silmarillion”

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As if it wasn’t hard enough to come up with $500 for that “Complete Tolkien Library,” Houghton Mifflin and HarperCollins will release a new hardcover 70th Anniversary Edition of “The Hobbit,” and a 30th Anniversary Edition of “The Silmarillion.”The new edition of “The Hobbit,” from Houghton Mifflin, features an introduction by Christopher Tolkien, a reset text that incorporates the most up-to-date corrections, as well as all of Tolkien’s illustrations, including the rare “Mirkwood” piece.

The new edition of “The Silmarillion,” from HarperCollins, also features a reset text, quarter-bound in cloth and leather, and set in a cloth-bound slipcase. Much like their recent “deluxe” editions of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

“The Hobbit,” will be released on September 21, 2007, and “The Silmarillion,” will be released on Guy Fox Day, November 5, 2007. I wonder if V will pick up a copy.

“The Essential (Complete) Tolkien Library”

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For those of you that have $500 or so just sitting around, Houghton Mifflin now offers what they call “The Essential (Complete) Tolkien Library.”As the title suggests, this is a twenty-seven volume bundle comprises one of each edition in Houghton Mifflin’s current Tolkien catalog, including the hardcover volumes of “The History of Middle-earth,” the two-volume “The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide,” the charming (did I type that?) “Letters From Father Christmas,” and “The Maps of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.”

The Children of Húrin

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on June 17, 2007
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In the grand scheme of things these days, a book release probably won’t send the same reverberations that news concerning other world events will do. But to Tolkien fans, the news of a new book by J.R.R. Tolkien, will resound more than most other current events.Houghton Mifflin (and HarperCollins) have released “The Children of Húrin,” the first complete book by Tolkien since the “The Silmarillion” was published in 1977, three years after Tolkien’s death.

Houghton Mifflin’s press release best summarizes this release.

J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2007

Houghton Mifflin has acquired U.S. rights to publish the first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien since the posthumous The Silmarillion in 1977. HarperCollins UK acquired the project from The Tolkien Estate in a world-rights deal. Presented for the first time as a fully continuous and stand-alone story, the epic tale of The Children of Húrin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with elves and men, dragons and dwarves, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

The Children of Húrin, begun in 1918, was one of three “Great Tales” J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an “unfinished tale.” Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father’s many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

Christopher Tolkien said: “It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father’s long version of the legend of The Children of Húrin as an independent work, between its own covers, with a minimum of editorial presence, and above all in continuous narrative without gaps or interruptions, if this could be done without distortion or invention, despite the unfinished state in which he left some parts of it.”

Having drawn the distinctive maps for the original The Lord of the Rings more than fifty years ago, Christopher has also created a detailed new map for this book. In addition, it will include a jacket and color paintings by Alan Lee, illustrator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition and Oscar®-winning designer of the film trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings was already acclaimed worldwide as the most popular book of the twentieth century before the blockbuster films in 2001 through 2003 broke new ground and inspired millions more to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s books — an additional 50 million copies were sold, leaving new fans wanting more. The Children of Húrin will be published in the United States by Houghton Mifflin in April 2007, on the same day as HarperCollins’ international editions.

Victoria Barnsley, CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins Publishers UK, said: “This epic story of adventure, tragedy, fellowship, and heroism stands as one of the finest expressions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s skills as a storyteller. With a narrative as dramatic and powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings, it can now be read and enjoyed as Tolkien originally intended, and will doubtless be a revelation for millions of fans around the world.”

Janet Silver, Vice President and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin, said, “As J.R.R. Tolkien’s original American publisher, dating back to The Hobbit, we are extremely proud to be bringing this project to Tolkien’s devoted readership in the United States. Christopher Tolkien has done a great service in realizing his father’s vision for The Children of Húrin.”

Houghton Mifflin and HarperCollins will publish two version of this new book. The above mentioned (and somewhat pricey (but worth it)) illustrated edition, and a standard trade hardcover edition.

Illustrated (by Alan Lee) Hardcover Edition.

Standard Trade Hardcover Edition.